Life is not without its burdens. At 27, Margaret is already feeling the effects of carrying hers. Every other day Margaret, a mother of four, makes a 10-hour trek to collect water for her family, carrying a jerrycan on her back that weighs 44 pounds when filled. Millions of women and girls like Margaret bear the heavy burden of daily water collection, which results in life-long back and neck pain.[1]
Beyond the daily toll of work that wears on us, there are other kinds of burdens. The emotional, mental, and physical toll of the hardships in our lives also leaves us weary down to the bone.
Christianity doesn’t offer us a mantra, a self-help strategy, or even messengers to help with our burdens. Christianity offers us Jesus, God Himself, coming to live with us and taking those burdens from us. Jesus took on our struggles in the dirt, felt our feelings, and offered to carry our impossible burdens.
It was necessary for [Jesus] to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17
Born in poverty and wrapped in fragility, Jesus intimately acquainted Himself with the human experience. Why? In the Bible book of Hebrews, it says, “It was necessary for [Jesus] to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17). Jesus wanted to share your burdens so He could take them from you.
Your shoulders weren’t built to carry the burdens you’re bearing today. Go to Jesus today and ask for His help! He left His comfort to pick up your pain.
[1] Huber, Chris. “Carrying Water Can Be a Pain in the Neck.” World Vision, 17 Apr. 2017, https://www.worldvision.org/clean-water-news-stories/carrying-water-pain-neck. Accessed 28 Dec. 2023.
